2025 Professional Achievement Alumni Award: Nicole Balkenbusch (BSBA '07)

Success for Nicole Balkenbusch is not measured solely in career promotions and titles, but in her ability to impact and influence others along the way. 

“You can be successful in business and give back to your community, you can deliver results and care about people,” says Balkenbusch, chief storyteller and FP&A director for WW Amazon Stores and founder of COLES LTD. 

For her career success, commitment to lifting others as she climbs and her unwavering support of Business Buckeyes, Balkenbusch has been named recipient of Fisher’s 2025 Alumni Award for Professional Achievement.

We asked her to reflect on her career, her devotion to Ohio State and Fisher and what this honor means to her. 

Q. This award is given for outstanding achievement. Your own achievements are evident in your rise previously at Procter & Gamble and now at Amazon. Given your experiences and career journey, how would you define achievement?

Achievement isn't just about climbing the corporate ladder — it's about making an impact while bringing others along with you. I love the expression “to lift up others with you as you climb.” In my experience, true achievement comes when you can say "and" instead of "or.” You can deliver results and care about people, you can have a successful career and quality family time, you can follow your passions and make money. 

Sometimes, you need to take sideways or even backward steps to move forward. At P&G, I moved four times in 10 years to make a dual-career marriage work. At Amazon, I took what felt like a risk leaving finance to join leadership development, only to return to finance with new skills that made me a stronger leader. 

Achievement is about having the courage to say "why not?" vs “why?” when opportunities arise. 

Q. Your title at Amazon is chief storyteller and FP&A director. What does storytelling mean in the context of your work in finance planning and analysis?

In finance, numbers tell a story — but it's how you interpret and communicate that story that drives business decisions. As I first learned when I was the finance leader at a manufacturing plant years ago, facts/numbers don’t lie, but it’s how you communicate them that captures the hearts and minds to drive changes. Now as chief storyteller, my role is to take complex financial data and transform it into meaningful insights that influence Stores Leadership. It's about asking "tell me more" to understand the story behind the numbers, being able to connect different data points to see patterns and then communicating those insights in a way that drives action. 

Q. You’re a frequent speaker and presenter at conferences and in the classroom — including here at Fisher. What do you hope students and others in business learn from you and your experiences?

I want them to ask "why not?" when opportunities arise, even if those opportunities seem scary or different from their original plan. As I often say, "if I don't say what I want, how will others know?”

When I speak to students, I emphasize three key things: First, ask questions and truly listen. Early in my 20s, I thought I knew everything and wanted to run circles around everyone else. A mentor once even gave the direct feedback that “while you deliver results, you’re leaving dead bodies in the wake” — talk about a wake-up call. Many guided me to slow down to hear the answers and internalize what was said. Second, operate your work life as if personal doesn't exist and your personal life as if work doesn't exist. When I really wanted a bigger role and potential promotion, but also wanted a baby, I chose to still try for both and then they happened in the same year. Third, clearly and boldly communicate your goals. I've never once stopped saying I want to progress in my career, and I've equally communicated when I needed to take a break. If I don't say what I want or need, establishing boundaries, how will others know?

Q. Is there a lesson, piece of advice or experience from your time at Fisher that has stayed with you over the years?

From the Honors Cohort Program, I learned the importance of surrounding yourself with people who challenge you to be better, plan for flexibility and have new experiences to truly foster a growth mindset. My original plan was Ohio State, Honors Cohort, accounting and pre-law. Instead, the program opened my eyes to different possibilities, leading me to P&G and eventually Amazon. The program taught me to think bigger than myself, which has influenced my personal legacy statement to be a "strong businesswoman who helps others break down barriers." 

The program also instilled the value of paying it forward, which is why I spent five years as Selection Committee Chair for the Honors Cohort Alumni Board and was rated "Best Mentor" for multiple years. Most importantly, Fisher taught me about the power of community and support. The entrepreneurial spirit and focus on service that I developed at Fisher continues to guide me today.

Q. What’s a favorite memory you carry from your time at Fisher and Ohio State?

I have to choose one?! 

I remember being part of the 9th Honors Cohort class where we pioneered combining service with experiences, creating the first-ever trip to teach Junior Achievement in the Bahamas. This concept of merging purpose with impact has stayed with me throughout my career.

I also treasure the mentorship and guidance I received. The women in my family and my mentors taught me to "stand up tall, don't be afraid of who you are" — a lesson that has served me well in corporate America. 

And, of course, there's the Buckeye spirit! The energy, the community, the pride — it's something that stays with you (OH!). I remember rushing the field after the Ohio State vs. “that team up North” at The Game in 2002 with a triumphant victory. That feeling and camaraderie! It's why I've remained so involved with Fisher. 

Q. What significance does the Professional Achievement Award from Fisher hold for you ─ personally and professionally?

Being recognized by the institution that helped shape my foundation is particularly meaningful. Professionally, this award validates my belief that you can have "and" instead of "or.” You can be successful in business and give back to your community, you can deliver results and care about people. It reinforces my personal legacy statement to be a "strong businesswoman who helps others break down barriers." From my early days at P&G to now leading $500B in financials at Amazon while running my own coaching business, COLES LTD, this recognition affirms that taking risks and saying "why not?" to new opportunities can lead to meaningful achievement and sustained happiness.

Most importantly, this award reminds me of the power of paying it forward. Just as I had amazing mentors and supporters throughout my journey at Fisher and beyond, I hope to continue inspiring the next generation of business leaders to dream big and never settle.